The private sector and government agencies in Thailand have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in support of the government’s public-private collaboration policy to mobilize modern aquaculture development. Through this initiative, private companies will provide knowledge on cultivation, marketing and distribution to support shrimp and fish farm production.
Thiraphong Chansiri, president and chief executive officer of Bangkok-based Thai Union Group PCL and chairman of the Aquatic Animal Group, Modern Agricultural Development Working Group, commented: “This public-private policy is one where the farmers are genuine benefactors. The business sector is the mechanism that will connect the government and people. In this way, it is contributing to the development of the aquatic animal group and hopes to see an efficient and effective effort made by all concerned parties to help fish and shrimp farmers boost their production and profit.”
The project will be implemented into two phases. The first involves hatchery technology transfer and marketing promotion, which will last until the end of this year. The second phase will see the establishment of a breeding development center, which will become the aquaculture development hub. This should increase the value and competitiveness of Thai aquaculture, and will involve further collaboration with the Department of Fisheries regarding location and budgeting.
Members of government agencies, private companies and aquaculture cooperatives at the signing of the MoU in support of the mobilization of Public-Private Collaboration Policy. Among them are (seated, third from right) Thiraphong Chansiri, president and chief executive officer of Thai Union Group PCL and chairman of the Aquatic Animal Group, Modern Agricultural Development Working Group; (seated, second from left), Dr. Poj Aramwattananont, president of the Thai Frozen Foods Association; and (standing, fourth from left) Dr. Panisuan Jamnarnwej, honorary advisor to the Thai Frozen Foods Association.
The private sector in this working group is comprised of aquatic animal processing companies that will provide participating farmers with technology transfers, knowledge and marketing insight, as well as distribution channel support.
The public sector will be responsible for promoting the formation of cooperatives to improve hatchery and production efficiency, and for arranging business matching between cooperatives and aquatic animal companies. The collaboration is focused on increasing income and improving farmers’ quality of life, while also working to boost aquaculture capacity and quality, which should positively impact farmers nationwide.
Government sector members of the Aquatic Animal Working Group are the Cooperative Promotion Department, Department of Fisheries, Fish Marketing Organization and the Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives of Thailand. The private sector is comprised of Thai Union Group PCL, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thai Frozen Foods Association, Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL, and Wales & Co. Universe Limited.
Twelve cooperatives signed the MoU, as follows: Chantha Buri Shrimp Farmers Cooperative; Shrimp Cooperative of Trat Limited; Sustainable Shrimp Cooperative of Trat; Pak Panang River Basin Shrimp Farmers Cooperative Limited, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province; Nakhon Pathom Shrimp Farmers Cooperative Limited; Ban Sang Agriculture Cooperative Limited, Prachin Buri Province; Nikom Ban Sang Pattana Cooperative Limited, Prachin Buri Province; Paedriew Agriculture Cooperative, Chachoengsao Province; Trang Aquaculture Cooperative; Kung Kraben Fisheries Cooperative, Chantha Buri Province; Chon Buri Aqualculture Cooperative; Phan Fisheries Cooperative, Chiang Rai Province.
